suspense
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the feeling of excitement or tension you have when you are waiting to find out what happens next in a story or movie.
the pleasurable state of anticipation regarding the resolution of a narrative or event.
Simple“The movie kept us in suspense until the very last scene.”
In context“The director masterfully builds suspense by withholding key information from the audience until the final act of the play.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a nervous or worried feeling because you do not know what will happen in a difficult situation.
a state of painful or anxious uncertainty while awaiting a decision or outcome.
Simple“The suspense of waiting for the medical results was hard to handle.”
In context“The long silence from the jury kept the defendant in agonizing suspense for several hours.”
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
a temporary stop or delay in a legal right or process.
the temporary cessation or interruption of a right, claim, or legal proceeding.
Simple“The payment of the rent was held in suspense until the owner was found.”
In context“The court ruled that the property rights would remain in suspense pending the outcome of the probate investigation.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'in suspense'.
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
a specific date or time when a task must be finished.
a fixed time limit or deadline for the completion of a task or report.
Simple“The captain set a suspense for the end of the week to finish the report.”
In context“All departments must meet the suspense of Friday afternoon to ensure the budget is submitted on time.”
UsageCommonly used in military or government administrative contexts.
“Writer-director James Nunn and his team are clearly less interested in developing character than in building suspense with ominous splashes at the edge of the frame.”
From Middle English suspense, suspence, from Anglo-Norman suspens (as in en suspens) and Old French suspens, from Latin suspēnsus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.